Michelle Williams explores mortality and friendship in Dying For Sex, a new FX and Hulu series based on the Wondery podcast by Nikki Boyer. Debuting with critical acclaim, the show adapts surprising, deeply human themes into a compelling story about a woman confronting terminal illness through self-discovery and the power of connection, with Williams and Jenny Slate delivering powerful lead performances.
Created by Kim Rosenstock and Liz Meriwether, both of whom previously worked on New Girl, the series follows Molly, portrayed by four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams, as she embarks on a charged journey of sexual exploration following a breast cancer diagnosis. While on the surface a dramedy about desire and death, the heart of Dying For Sex lies in the enduring, transformative friendship between Molly and her steadfast confidante, Nikki, played by Jenny Slate.
Supporting cast members Rob Delaney, Kelvin Yu, David Rasche, Esco Jouléy, and Sissy Spacek further enrich the show‘s tapestry, with Spacek appearing as Molly’s estranged mother. The series has been lauded for being humorous, deeply moving, and unafraid to tackle both the comedic and tragic sides of its themes, presenting viewers with an experience that is at turns funny, poignant, and profoundly sad.
Adapting a Tonally Rich Podcast to the Screen
The origins of Dying For Sex trace back to Nikki Boyer’s well-received podcast, which captured the attention of Meriwether, who was immediately struck by its unique tonality and use of humor in the face of bleak subject matter. Rosenstock also found inspiration in the depiction of friendship and the intriguing juxtaposition of mortality with a late-blooming sexual awakening—concepts she felt were rare within contemporary storytelling.
Meriwether explained that what set the story apart was its willingness to find comedy in the darkest corners of the female experience, particularly as it related to sex and mortality. To her, the story shed new light on the potential of sex as a path to greater self-understanding, while offering a fresh angle on female pleasure, body awareness, and the complex dimensions of womanhood.
This fresh approach was deeply motivating for both co-creators. Rosenstock recalled being moved by the central friendship, feeling inspired to explore uncharted emotional territory. The authenticity and intimacy depicted in the podcast fueled their adaptation, with both creators returning frequently to Boyer’s original storytelling for guidance and emotional reference throughout the writing process.
Transforming a Story about Death into a Celebration of Friendship
From the beginning, Rosenstock and Meriwether envisioned their adaptation as a love story—one that defied typical romantic conventions by focusing instead on the unwavering devotion between two friends. This narrative arc became the “overarching, emotional journey” of the show, as Rosenstock described, rooted in the extraordinary circumstances Molly and Nikki navigate together.
Their creative choices were driven by a desire to explore forms of intimacy and commitment rarely displayed onscreen. As the series progresses, the friendship deepens and evolves, culminating in a profoundly moving finale with Nikki remaining by Molly’s side through her final moments.
Meriwether described the core question at the heart of this journey:
Who do you want to die with?
—Liz Meriwether, Co-creator
This was a facet of connection typically reserved for romantic partners in narrative storytelling, but as Dying For Sex illustrates, friendship may hold an equally powerful place in the final chapters of our lives.
The show’s willingness to venture into the “scariest, most uncomfortable places”—namely, the realities of death and sexual fulfillment—became both its greatest challenge and its distinguishing strength. Meriwether acknowledged the fear such subjects invoke, both in herself and potential viewers:
Have you seen the show? And friends are, Oh my God. Am I going to watch this show that goes to these places?
—Liz Meriwether, Co-creator
Nevertheless, the series manages to infuse humor throughout, leveraging laughter as both a coping mechanism and a tool for audience engagement. For the creators, embracing the comedic possibilities against a somber backdrop helped make these difficult themes approachable, validating the everyday resilience of individuals facing adversity.
The Dynamics Between Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate
The chemistry between Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate stands out as a central force in the series. The creative team knew that the believability of Molly and Nikki’s friendship would be critical, building on a rapport that felt lived-in and deeply authentic. Despite not having worked together previously, both actors immediately established the easy, conversational shorthand characteristic of decades-long friends, contributing to the emotional resonance of every scene.
Rosenstock spoke to Slate’s exceptional comedic and dramatic abilities, having previously seen her in Obvious Child, and praised her for bringing depth and spontaneity to the role. The casting was further validated when Slate chose to audition for the part—an unusual step for an accomplished actress, which allowed the team to witness her natural chemistry with Williams.
Meriwether reflected on the vulnerability both Williams and Slate brought to the series, noting their willingness to embrace risk, discomfort, and emotional honesty. She shared:
I can’t believe I’m about to walk up to Michelle Williams and pitch her a dumb dick joke,
—Liz Meriwether, Co-creator
She described how both leads “jumped right in,” setting a bar for bravery that inspired the writers and shaped the series’ tone.
The partnership between Williams and Slate proved to be a linchpin for the show’s emotional impact, exemplified in scenes that required both humor and raw sincerity. According to Rosenstock, the openness and emotional presence of both actors gave life to the narrative in ways the creators had hoped but could not guarantee.
Honoring the Real-Life Story while Embracing Creative License
While the core of Dying For Sex is rooted in actual experiences shared on Nikki Boyer’s podcast, the show takes meaningful creative liberties to expand the narrative for television. The writers intentionally balanced faithfulness to real events with the need for dramatic structure, inventing new characters and subplots while upholding the essential truth of Molly and Nikki’s journey.
Meriwether clarified that the podcast ends with Molly’s death, capturing honest conversations with Nikki at the very end—a dynamic the adaptation worked hard to replicate. The team consulted with Boyer extensively to ensure emotional accuracy, retrieving vital details about Molly’s final moments and integrating them authentically.
Rosenstock affirmed the reverence the writing team felt for the source material, regarding the real story as a “sacred text.” When the writers faced uncertainty about character motivations or narrative direction, they routinely returned to the podcast, often consulting Boyer for first-hand insights and clarification.
At the same time, the format of television necessitated some departures. The creators crafted a substantial character arc for Nikki, exploring her experiences as both friend and caretaker. They also introduced plot elements inspired by romantic comedies, including a love story between Molly and her neighbor—a relationship that, while fictionalized, honored Molly’s real desires.
Adding actors like Rob Delaney enabled this expanded vision, allowing the series to blend genres and tones uniquely. These creative choices were born from a desire to offer the real-life Molly, and her audience, a sense of fulfillment and joy within the bounds of fiction that real life could not always provide.
The Future for the Creators: Exploring New Stories and Tones
Both Rosenstock and Meriwether are embarking on new creative ventures following the success of Dying For Sex. Meriwether is developing a crime thriller centered on a female FBI agent, portrayed by Emmy Rossum, set against the grim pursuit of a serial killer. Though this upcoming series, inspired by Bob Rafelson’s Black Widow, promises less comedy, the creator notes her continued interest in “challenging tones” and the unexpected places where humor can arise.
Meriwether discussed the process of casting and the early development phases of her new project, which pivots sharply from the emotional terrain of Dying For Sex but continues to explore women’s experiences in high-stakes worlds.
Rosenstock, on the other hand, is collaborating with Ryan Murphy and writer Connor Hines on American Love Story, a dramatic retelling of the iconic romance between JFK, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. These diverging paths—one toward darkness and suspense, another toward romance—reflect the duo’s versatility and desire to keep exploring new narrative “territory,” as they describe it.
Their complementary trajectories underscore how Dying For Sex has informed and emboldened their creative approaches, with both expressing openness to reunite in the future for similarly daring material.
Audience Impact and Critical Response
Since its release, Dying For Sex has resonated powerfully with viewers, especially women, who have praised its honest, unflinching, and occasionally transgressive treatment of taboo subjects. One measure of the series’ success can be found in its word-of-mouth popularity and the passionate feedback received by its creators.
Despite the sometimes challenging nature of its content, the show has become a point of conversation and connection among audiences seeking stories that speak authentically to hardship, friendship, sexuality, and mortality. Meriwether humorously admitted:
That’s amazing. I can’t get some of my best friends to watch! [laughs]
—Liz Meriwether, Co-creator
Rosenstock recounted reactions from friends who hesitated to watch the series’ final, emotionally charged episodes, telling her:
I got to episode six and know what’s happening, so I’m just not watching the last two.
—Kim Rosenstock, Co-creator
She responded,
“You should watch the last two!”
highlighting the cathartic power of the series’ ending and its ability to move viewers through grief toward celebration and release.
Dying For Sex is now available to stream in full on Hulu, where its nuanced portrayal of vulnerability, courage, and the redemptive power of laughter continues to win new fans.
Why This Series Matters
Dying For Sex stands out not only for its sensitive portrayal of death and illness but for redefining what constitutes a love story on television. By foregrounding the complexities of female friendship and allowing its characters to inhabit spaces that are at once joyful, painful, and transformative, the series offers a narrative rarely seen in mainstream media.
Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate bring heart, humor, and gravity to their roles, ensuring the central themes of mortality and connection remain palpable. Under the guidance of Kim Rosenstock and Liz Meriwether, the adaptation honors its podcast origins while embracing the interpretive possibilities of television storytelling.
The series’ legacy may well be its courage to ask difficult questions about life’s end, the meaning of intimacy, and the communities that sustain us through hardship. As the show gathers momentum during awards season, it continues to foster dialogue about topics often considered too challenging for mainstream television, leaving a lasting mark on both viewers and creators.
